ART CONTEST DEADLINE EXTENDED – SUBMIT STUDENT ART!

Children’s ARTcontest - MY MINNESOTA: a creative state of mind
Parents and teachers, submit your young people’s art for the 2008 ARTcontest, MY MINNESOTA: a creative state of mind.  The theme is in celebration of the Minnesota sesquicentennial, 150 years of statehood.  When creating the art, young artists are encouraged to explore their own lives.  What does Minnesota mean to them, what is their favorite place to visit, what are their favorite things to do in Minnesota?  One entry per grade level will be featured on the 2008 Festival Poster.

One entry per grade level will be selected and featured on the 2008 Festival Poster. Winners will be announced April 2008, and will be honored with  a  modest  cash  prize  and  a  reception  in  downtown  Saint Paul. Additionally, one teacher or organization leader of the winning entries will be selected to receive $100 for classroom supplies, courtesy of M&I Bank.

Submission deadline: March 31, 2008. The ARTcontest is a program of the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival.

Learn more & download entry forms

GARTH FAGAN DANCE LEAVES LASTING IMPACT

Garth Fagan Dance choreographed by Tony award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan, left Ordway Center audiences speechless with their unique blend of dance forms including, modern, Afro-Caribbean, jazz, and ballet.  Garth Fagan Dance captivated more than 5,500 students at the Performing Arts Classrooms on February sixth and seventh.  

During the company’s four-day residency, they engaged the dance community around the Twin Cities in three dance master classes, which focused on the Garth Fagan Technique, an original combination of movement developed by Fagan.  The first master class took place with the high level dance students from the Saint Paul Conservatory of Performing Artists.  After the workshop, dance students attended a Garth Fagan Dance performance and participated in a Descriptive Review session conducted by Steve Busa with the Perpich Center for Arts Education peer coaches.  More than sixty dancers participated in the two public master classes held in Ordway Center’s studio spaces.   The classes were led by Garth Fagan Dance company members and consisted of an Introductory to Garth Fagan Technique for dance students and a Garth Fagan Technique and Form for professional dancers and choreographers.  Both public master classes were received by the dance community with great excitement.

FESTIVAL SCHOOL WEEK PERFROMANCES AND WORKSHOPS STILL AVAILABLE

Teachers give your students an amazing cultural arts experience through the 2008 Flint Hills International Children’s Festival. The festival school week is practically sold out! Limited space is still available in both performances and global arts workshops; see opportunities below.

PERFORMANCES
Tokounou: All Ability West African Dance
This performance is suggested for grades four through eight.  Sidiki Conde, Tokounou’s founder, lost the use of his legs when he was 14.  Nevertheless, he continued to follow his dream to be a dancer and musician. Through Tokounou’s song, dance, and musical arrangements, Conde celebrates the traditional arts of his native Guinea and chronicles his unique journey.  Space for 45 or less is available May 27 at 9:15am and approximately 100 available on May 29 at 9:15am.

GLOBAL ARTS WORKSHOPS
India: a culture alive with art!
This Global Arts Workshop is suggested for grades two through six.  Students will learn north Indian storytelling and percussive Kathak dance as Rita Mustaphi dances, sings, and tells the stories, myths, and legends from epics and folklore of India. Space for approximately 18 is available May 29 at 9:15am.

SteppingStone Theatre’s mask-making workshops
Mixed-Up Beasts is suggested for grades two through three. Students will mix up different animals to create masks for mixed-up beasts like the Bumblebeaver, Kangarooster, or the Camelelephant! Take out your imagination and
hop/fly away! Space for 29 or less is available Wednesday, May 28 at 9:15am.

African Masks issuggested for grades four through five.  The workshop focuses on the importance of masks in African culture.  Students will analyze different examples and then create their own mask out of cardboard, raffia and, imagination.  Space for approximately 27 is available Wednesday, May 28 at 10:30am.

Learn more

FESTIVAL VISUAL ART OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

ARTwalk—an exhibition of children’s art work in downtown Saint Paul
The ARTwalk is a unique opportunity for schools and community organizations to highlight the visual arts achievements of young people. As an extension of the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival, the ARTwalk curates children’s artwork from across the state in a month-long exhibit in downtown Saint Paul. Given the ARTwalk is a non-juried exhibition, participants are encouraged to be selective in their entries.

Entries can be submitted on a group or individual basis, and the deadline for submission is March 31, 2008. Artwork must be delivered by April 11, and will be on display May 1-June 1, 2008.

Learn more & download entry forms

ARTmoves Parade—create a your own art in motion
You and your group can be art in motion!  Journey through the Festival grounds in the ARTmoves Parade with giant puppets, kites, flags, music, ARTbikes, or anything you can dream up!

Ordway Center is actively creating partnerships with after-school programs and community organizations to create residency activities for youth, which will culminate in the Festival parade.  Through this program, youth will collaborate with an artist to dream up a concept and work as a team to create a unit of performance art.

Ordway Center has scholarships available for after school and community organizations to develop parade units.

The ARTmoves Parade is Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 1pm.  Contact Eric Olmscheid with your ideas and find out how you and your group can be involved! eolmscheid@ordway.org or 651-282-3017.

Learn more

VOLUNTEER NOW FOR THE 2008 FLINT HILLS CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

Join the dedicated volunteers for the eighth annual Flint Hills International Children’s Festival, May 27- June 1, 2008.  Hundreds of dedicated and talented volunteers are needed to fill positions including school week festival hosts, ARTwalk installation crew members, parade team members, and many more.  Join the volunteer efforts and receive a 2008 Festival T-shirt, access to the Artist/Guest tent, and discounted tickets as available!

Learn more

PRINCIPALS’ RECEPTION HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION AT ORDWAY CENTER

On February 8, principals and their families from Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public schools districts were invited to a reception and performance of Garth Fagan Dance.  The event gave principals’ and their families a chance to experience Ordway Center’s cultural programming for school audiences.  The reception featured eloquent speeches from Dr. Meria Joel Carstarphen, Superintendent, Saint Paul Public Schools; Craig Vana Associate Superintendent, Minneapolis Public schools; and Patricia A. Mitchell, CEO, Ordway Center, on the importance of arts education in schools.  More than seventy-five Principals and their families attended the reception.

$5 TICKETS FOR FESTIVAL FAMILY WEEKEND

The Flint Hills International Children’s Festival family weekend is a great opportunity for families to enjoy performances by international artists from around the globe.  These indoor performances feature a variety of cultural art forms including dance, music, puppetry and more.  This year, tickets for indoor performances are only $5!  Families are also invited to watch, dance, and sing with local Twin Cities performing artists on Ordway Center’s three outdoor stages.  Families can also participate in more than thirty free art-making activities and sample international cuisine in Rice park and Landmark Plaza.

To order tickets call the Ordway Center Box Office at 652-224-4222 or visit ordway.org/festival.